Softball drops its Big 12 series opener to Iowa State, 2-1

Friday, April 21

Austin, Texas

4:30 p.m.

University of Texas

24-19, 3-7

Iowa State

17-31, 2-11

Iowa State

Texas

Softball drops its Big 12 series opener to Iowa State, 2-1

04.21.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Texas’ offense left eight base runners stranded in the loss to the Cyclones

AUSTIN, Texas – On Friday evening at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas softball (24-19, 3-7 Big 12 Conference) dropped a tough, 2-1 decision to Iowa State (17-31, 2-11 Big 12 Conference) in both teams' league series opener.

The Longhorns offense managed five hits in the game and left eight stranded overall with senior third baseman Celina Felix leading the way by going 1-for-4 with a RBI. Senior shortstop Devon Tunning was 1-for-3 with a run scored, while freshman right fielder Kaitlyn Washington (1-for-4), freshman catcher Taylor Ellsworth (1-for-3) and junior designated player Randel Leahy (1-for-2) each registered base hits in the contest.

In the circle for the Burnt Orange & White, redshirt sophomore Erica Wright (4-5) suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts over 5.0 innings of work. Sophomore Brooke Bolinger was solid out of the bullpen, striking out one during two perfect frames of relief.

After Iowa State left a runner in scoring position in the top of the first, the Texas offense put together an immediate threat against Cyclone starter Emma Hylen during the bottom half. Tunning, Washington and Felix strung together three consecutive singles to open the frame, boosting the Longhorns to a quick 1-0 lead.

With one down in the top of third, ISU right fielder Kirsten Caudle granted the Cyclones life by launching a triple to the wall in right center. Second baseman Sami Williams quickly brought her teammate home from 60 feet away as her sacrifice fly dead-locked the scoreboard count at 1-1.

Bidding for an immediate response, Texas managed to load the bases during the bottom of the third on a Tunning lead-off walk, a two-out Ellsworth single up the middle and a Leahy free pass. Unfortunately for the Burnt Orange & White, a pop-up just out on the grass in the outfield was tracked down by hard-charging Iowa State center fielder Kelsey McFarland as UT left three stranded.

The contest wouldn't stay tied for long, however, as Cyclone clean-up hitter McFarland opened the fourth by hitting a solo shot down the left field line to give ISU its first lead at 2-1.

After leaving single runners on in the fourth and fifth, Texas missed its biggest chance to rally during the bottom of the sixth. Leahy christened the frame by beating out an infield single to first and moved into scoring position on a perfect Kelli Hanzel sacrifice bunt. With runners stationed at second and third after sophomore pinch hitter Bekah Alcozer walked and ISU's catcher committed a passed ball, senior pinch hitter Tiarra Davis stepped to the plate facing a huge spot. The Henderson, Texas, native hit a chopper on the infield that was immediately thrown home. Leahy got caught in a rundown and was tagged diving back into third for the second out. From there, a groundout to third ended the once promising UT threat with ISU still clinging to a 2-1 advantage.

With one final opportunity to extend or perhaps win the contest in the bottom of the seventh, Texas went down in order against Hylen on a pair of fly outs to center and a grounder to short.